YouTube is testing a new subscription tier that sits between its existing Individual and Family Premium plans, offering a more flexible option for smaller households or those who don’t need broader sharing. The new two-person Premium plan is currently being trialed in India, France, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, where select users can share a subscription with one additional person at a discounted rate.
This move appears aimed at users who may find the individual plan too limiting but have no use for a full family plan. The two-person setup is particularly appealing for couples, roommates, or smaller households looking to reduce subscription costs without sacrificing the core benefits of YouTube Premium, such as ad-free viewing, background play, and offline downloads.
In India, where subscription pricing is among the lowest globally, the two-person Premium plan is being offered at ₹219 (around $2.60 USD) per month. A version limited to YouTube Music Premium is available for ₹149 (approximately $1.77 USD). Both users must be over 13, have a Google account, and belong to the same Google family group, aligning the plan with existing family-sharing infrastructure.
YouTube’s ongoing strategy seems clear: convert more free users into paying subscribers by offering plans that better match diverse household needs. This includes the launch of products like YouTube Premium Lite, which strips down features like offline downloads and background play to offer basic ad-free access at a lower cost—though with significant trade-offs.
By introducing a two-person option, YouTube is likely aiming to plug a gap in its pricing structure while also addressing a growing user segment that doesn’t neatly fit into its current tiers. It’s also another move in a broader effort to encourage Premium adoption in the face of rising ad-block use and changing viewer expectations.
While there’s no official word on whether this two-person tier will roll out globally, it could be a welcome middle ground for users frustrated with limited options. If the trial proves successful, YouTube may expand the plan to more regions, potentially reshaping how small households or shared living arrangements access its premium services.
